Search

Abstract Objective: To identify the themes that influence decision making processes used by patients with symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Design: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Setting: Two district hospitals in North Yorkshire. Participants: 22 patients admitted to hospital with confirmed second, third, or fourth acute myocardial infarction. Main outcome measure: Patients' perceptions of their experience between the onset of symptoms and the decision to seek medical help. Results: Six main themes that influence the decision making process were identified: appraisal of symptoms, perceived risk, previous experience, psychological and emotional factors, use of the NHS, and context of the event. Conclusions: Knowledge of symptoms may not be enough to promote prompt action in the event of an acute myocardial infarction. Cognitive and emotional processes, individual beliefs and values, and the influence of the context of the event should also be considered in individual interventions designed to reduce delay in the event of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study was performed to examine the effects of giving patients with acute myocardial infarction an advice and relaxation audio tape within 24 h of admission to hospital. Methods: A prospective, two-group design was used with 243 subjects randomised to receive either the advice and relaxation tape or a music tape of their choice within 24 h of sustaining a myocardial infarction. Outcomes comprised anxiety, cardiac misconceptions, lifestyle change, attendance at a cardiac rehabilitation programme, and quality of life. Results: Although the advice and relaxation tape reduced the number of cardiac misconceptions this did not lead to any improvements in outcome, whilst in hospital or at 6 months. Both tapes were equally appreciated by the patients, 98% of whom said that they would recommend them to other patients. Conclusions: An advice and relaxation tape reduces cardiac misconceptions but does not confer any other benefits over a music tape. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although there have been a number of studies regarding attributions and misconceptions in people following a heart attack, there have been no comparable studies in people with angina. Semi-structured interviews were held with 20 people suffering from angina to discover their beliefs about angina, particularly those that may be misconceived or associated with maladaptive coping. Nineteen of the 20 participants held such beliefs. Stress was the most frequent causal attribution and misconceived angina avoidance strategies were cited by the majority. The beliefs about angina held by this sample may have implications for their health-related quality of life, if their experience mirrors that found within heart attack populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]